Screwdriver



F. W. RUSSELL.

SCREWDRIVER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29, 1919.

Patented July 5, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. W. R USSELL.

SCREWDRIVER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29. m9.

l 2 u. a. n m n 1, 2. A I G n y E Ar M e s a 2 m I I Z/ W //////l/4 7drivers of the brace typ FREDERIC WILLIAM RUSSELL, REDDITCH, ENGLAND.

SCREWDRIVER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRnnERIo WVILLIAM RUssELL, of 135 Hewell road,Redditch, in the county of .Vorcester, England, have invent-ed new anduseful Improvements in Screwdrivers; and I do'hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to screw drivers and more particularly to mechanismfor supportthe screw while it is being driven, the

apparatus being applicable either to manually operated screw driverssuch as the brace type or to'power driven devices.

The apparatus according to the present invention'comprises a sleeve ortube member associated with the blade of the screw driver in such mannerthat the blade is able to slide therein, said sleeve or tube forming asupport for the screw head and a pair of jaws, the extremities of whichare arranged to give lateral support to the shank of the screw, the saidaws being locked against being opened by radially applied pressure, butwhich jaws are automatically unlocked when the'screw has nearly reachedthe full limit of its insertion. 7

My invention also may be applied to screw e, 6., provided with a crankedportion adapted to be rotated by hand. i

According to this application of the invention the driver comprises acrank spindle having a blade at one end and; a thrust plate at theother, a screw supporting device T including a movable sleeve adapted tosupport the head of the screw mounted on the spindle adjacent the blade,a pair of radially displaceable shank supporting aws associated withsaid sleeve, and a handle rotatably and slidablymounted upon the crankportion of the spindle and a'link connecting said handle withth'exmovable sleeve, where by the amount of screw projecting from thecarrier may be adjusted as desired.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more readilycarried into.

practice. I have appended hereunto two sheets of drawings, whereinFigure 1 is a view in side elevation partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan.-

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing anotherform of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the tool Shown in Fig. 3,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 29, 1919.

Patented'July 5, 1921.

Serial No. 320,703.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and includes a side view ofthe ratchet mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form ofthedevice.

Fig. 7 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form of thedevice.

. Fig. 8 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form ofthe device.

Fig. 9 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form of thedevice.

In the form of the invention illustrated in F igs.' 1 and 2 the one mainpart is pro duced from a single rod 1 bent substantially to the form ofan ordinary carpenters brace, and having a breast plate 2 at the one endand a screw driver blade 3 at the other end. Conveniently this blade 3may be made separately and pivoted in a slot 5 on the end of the spindleportion 1, the pivot 4 being substantially at right angles to thedriving edge of the blade 3, so as to enable it to compensate forirregularities in the position of the screw when starting. The breastplate 2 may be connected to the metal member 1 by means of ananti-friction bearing.

The screw carrier comprises a sleeve 6 adapted to slide along thespindle portion 1, and it carries a pair of jaws 7 the extremities 8 ofwhich project inwardly and which are so arranged that they are lockedagainst being opened by radially applied pressure,

such as tilting of the screw, but are auto matically unlocked by thescrew when it has nearly reached the full limit of its insertion.

The jaws 7 are pivotally mounted at 10, the pivots being carried byslides 11 which are slidably mounted in recesses in the sleeve 6, theslides 11 being movable in a direction corresponding with the length ofthe spindle. The extremities 8 of the jaws have recesses 9 which engage.with the end of a sleeve 62 secured to the lower end of the sleeve 6and lock the jaws against a radially applied pressure such as wouldarise from tilting of the screw. The slides 11 are attached to thesleeve 6 by tension springs 12 which act so as to hold the slidesnormally in their fully receded position. The pivoted jaws 7 areprovided with recesses in which are located compression springs 13 whichact between the lower ends of slides 11 and the ends of the recesses inthe jaws 7 tending to rotate the jaws on the pivots 10 so that the lowerends of the jaws are forced toward each other. The inwardly projectingportions 8 of the aws 7 are inclined upon the inside at 14 to correspondmore or less with the form of conical screw heads, the portions 8 beingso shaped that when the, screw head is brought against these inclines 14the jaws 7 are first bodily displaced down:

' i turn about their pivots 10, to enable the screw head to pass theirextremities'8 and also to allow the screw driver blade 3 to passthroughand follow the screw sofas to fully insert it. The sleeve 62 is providedwith longitudinal slots 63 through which the positio'n of the head ofthe screw can be; 7 V n j v I glesto the driving-edge of the blade 26; a

crank 28 and a bent spindle 29 carrying the seen if desired, 7 g Thesleeve 6 together with sleeve 32 is movable axially in relation to thespindle 1 and is provided with one or more (preferably two) inclinedopenings 15 to enable the screw to be inserted into the sleeve when thescrew driver blade 3 is withdrawn" be yond these inclined holes.

A tubular handle 16 is rotatably mounted around the aforementionedcranked portion jof the tool and isconnected to the sleeve 6 by a link17 in such manner that the handle 16 may be moved axially in relation tothe cranked portion, taking with it the sleeve 6 which thus'movescorrespondingly in rela-' tion to the spindle 1. In use the handle 16 isgripped by the operating hand and the crank thereby rotated. By thismeans the operating hand is enabled to control the position of the screwcarrying sleeve 6 in relation to the spindle 1, and thereby regulate theextent to which the screw point projects from the toolI In starting ascrew it is of great importance that only a minimum amount should proect, the stream being firmly supported adjacent its point by the beingsupported by the interior surface of the sleeve 6. {is the screw entersthe material the sleeve 6 and aws 7 are held stationary or practicallyso, while the spindle land blade '3 are gradually advanced by iv 7 and apin 21 passes transversely through'the pressure on the plateAlternatively when the screw has been driven in sul'liciently far for itto become firmly embedded the sleeve '6 and thejaws 7 may be retractedby hand by sliding the-handle 16 along the part 1 the jaws 8' remainingin contact with the apart.

screw shank but sliding along same.

The movement of the handle along the 1 part 1 is restricted in eitherdirection by a t ,spring'buffer or stop.

This stop consists of'a sleeve 18slidably mounted on the spindle 1 andhaving a flange at its end 19. The sleeve 18 is slotted at 20 spindl 1.This pin 2l serves to supportra Washer 22 which is placed around thesleeve jaws 8 against tilting, and the screw head radial displacement.

18 as shown and a spring 23 is disposed betweenthe washer 22 and'the.flange1 9. In operation the handle can be moved in one direction bycompressing the vspring; the

iovement being limited'by the length of the slot in the sleeve 18.

slotf The sleeve 6 inclined openings 15.for the insertion of screws,thisarrangementinsuring that one of the openings 15 will .alwaysbe inacon- The motion in the otherdirection is also limited by the'sai'd isprovided with a pair of V venient position for receivingthe screw. In Vthe constructionkshown inFigs. 3,14 and 5 the'c'ra'nk meinberis made ofa spindle 25.

carrying a blade 26 pivoted to oneend ona pivot 27 disposedsubstantially at right an usual breast plate 2'at itsend.

' In this construction I have shown-another form of screw supportingmechanism com prising an inner sleeve 31 fixedrto 'a sleeve 1 30,and'up'on which slides an outer sleeve including lugs 33 to which arepivotedfat' 3 1 radially displaceable jaws 35." These jaws areprovided'with inturne'dends 36'having mally incontact with the sleeve;31, which forms an abutment,' locking the jaws 735 against radialdisplacement. The member 31 is fixed to the sleeve 30 by a grub screw41, whereas the members 32 carrying the pivots 31 can slide uponthesleeve 30 against with the inclined surfaces 37 offthe jaws 35' the jaws35 and members 32 willbefheld stationary, whileithe sleeve 30 and member31 will continue'to be retracted. At this point The plain end 40 of eachjaw 35 is nor the member 31 will move clear of the ends 10' r of thejaws 35 thus setting them' free for tiially occurs when the screw headdriven by blade 26 forces the ends of the jaws 35 The member can beretracted by the rod 13 pivoted at 141 in a collar 15 rotatably mountedon the'part- 31. The rod' 13 is provided with a pin 16 and washer 47;and a spring 418 is disposed betweenlthe washer 4 I 'andthe blade 49fixed to the collar 45. This This displacement acarrangement forms aspring buifer between the part 31 and the crank 28 and coming'intooperation at the end of'the sliding movement of the handle 54. When thepart 31 is fully retracted the washer 47 comes into contact with thesurface 50 of the crank 28.

A slot or passage 51 is provided through the crank 28 for the passage ofthe rod 43. Therod 43 is connected by a pivot 52 to a collar 53associated with a handle 54.

This form of the apparatus'is used in precisely the same manner as thatdescribed with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the screws being inserted inthe opening 55 provided in the member 32.

If desired, a toothed wheel 56 may be fixed on the spindle by a pin. 57.Ooiiperating with this wheel 56 are a pair of driving pawls 58 pivotallymounted at. 59 to each part of the crank 28. The two pawls 58 are pulledtoward each other by a spring 60, thus tending to keep their operativeends in driving contact with the wheel 56. A cam 61 (see Fig. 5) isprovided whereby either of the pawls 58 may be thrust out of gear, sothat the tool may be used as a ratchet brace in either direction. Thecam 61 may be placed in a central position, in which both pawls 58 arein engagement with the wheel 56 when the ratchet mechanism will beinoperative. V

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the

spindlel is slidably mounted in a sleeve 301,

with which is associated a sleeve 311 adapted to support the head of thescrew. The jaws 321 which are formed attheir lower ends similarly to thejaws shown in Fig. 1, are pivoted at 331 to the sleeve 301. Each jaw 321is provided with a slot 341 in which is located a spring 351.

In operation as the screw is driven in the screw head engages with thelower ends of the jaws 321 and moves the jaws 321 downwardly against theaction of the springs 351. IVhen this action has taken place, the ends361 of the jaws 321 become free from the shoulders 371 formed on thesleeve 301 thus freeing the jaws 321 and allowing them to be forcedapart by the screw or the blade of the screw driver.

In the construction shown at Fig. 7 the blade 1 is slidably mounted'in asleeve 381 and the jaws 391 are pivoted at 401 to a cup shaped sleeve411. The spring 421 operates between the sleeve 381 and the sleeve 411.The lower ends of the jaws 391 are shaped similarly to the aws shown inFig. 1. The jaws 391 are normally locked against outward movement bymembers 431 which are carried by the sleeve 381. Each jaw 391 isprovided with a shoulder 441.

In operation when a screw is being driven, its shank is supported by thelower ends of the jaws 391. As the screw head comes into contact withthe ends of the jaws 391 the said jaws together with the sleeve 411 aremoved bodily downward until the shoulders 441 pass beloW the members431. When this position is reached the jaws 441 are free to open andrelease themselves from the screw.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the spindle 1 has fixed to it amember 451 provided with cone surfaces at 461 and 471. The jaws 481 arepivoted at 491 to a sleeve 551 slidably mounted upon the spindle 1. Thelower ends of the jaws 481 are shaped as described with reference toFig. 1.

N ormally'the aws 481 are locked against outward movement by their upperends 501 being in contact with the member 451. As

the spindle 1 moves downwardly, the memher 451 travels with it until theends 501 are reached by the end 461 of the member 451.

This position is reached just before the screw is driven home, and inthis position the aws 481 automatically become released from the screw.

The construction shown in Fig. 9 is somewhat similar to that shown in.Fig. 8. In this construction however the member 451 is replaced by asleeve 50 slidably mounted upon the spindle 1. The sleeve 50 issupported by a spring 511 acting between a sleeve 521 to which the aws481 are pivoted, and a recess in the sleeve 50 The spindle 1 is providedwith a fixed collar 531 adapted, when the screw is almost driven home.to come into contact with the sleeve 50 and to move same downwardlyuntil the shoulder 541 is clear of the ends 501 of the jaws 481. In thisposition the jaws are unlocked and automatically free themselves fromthe s rank or head of the screw.

In each of the constructions shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, there is asleeve slidably mounted on the blade 1. These sleeves are numberedrespectively 30, 38, 551 and 521. In the operation of each device thesesleeves must be held stationary while the blade 1 moves downwardly orthe said sleeves must be moved upwardly while the blade 1 is rotated. For this purpose, in each case it is to be understood that the movementof such sleeve is controlled by a handle member, such as shown, forinstance, at 16 or 54 in Figs. 1 and 3, which is connected to suchsleeve.

lVhat I claim is 2- -1. A screw driver comprising a spindle having adriving blade at one end, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the saidspindle adapted to support the screw head, a handle loosely and slidablymounted upon said spindle and connected to said sleeve to control therelation between the sleeve and the spindle, a fixed abutment upon saidsleeve, a pair of radially displaceable aws pivotally mounted and havinga limited sliding movement upon said sleeve, projections upon said jawsadapted to normally engage with the said abutment to lock the jawsagainst radial displacement, and inwardly directed ends upon said jawsprojecting within said ably mounted upon said spindle and con- .nec'tedto said inner sleeve to control the relation'between thesleeve and thespindle, a fixed abutment upon said sleeve, a palr of a radiallydisplaceable jaws pivotally mounted upon said outer sleeve, projectionsupon said jaws adapted to normally'engage' w1th the said abutment tolock the jaws against radial displacement, and inwardly directed endsupon said jaws projectingwithin-saidsleeve to support the shank of thescrew and" adapted to be engaged by the screw head first to move saidjaw free of the said abutment and'subsequently to radially displace saidjaws to allow the screw head and driving blades to pass beyond the jawswhen required,

screw driver comprising a spindle having a driving blade at one end, aninner sleeve. slldably mounted upon sald splndie adapted to supportthescrew head, an outer sleevehaving alimited sliding movement upon saidsleeve, a flange upon said inner sleeve spaced apart from saidoutersleeve, a spring operating between said flange and said outersleeve, a handle loosely and slidable mounted upon the said spindle andconnected to said inner sleeve to control the relation between thesleeve and the spindle, a fixed abutment upon said sleeve, a pair ofradially displaceable jaws pivotally mounted upon said outer sleeve,projections upon said jaws adapted to normally engage with the saidabutment to lock the jaws against radial displacement, and inwardlydirected ends upon said jaws projecting within said sleeve to supportthe shank of thescrew and adapted to be engaged bythe screw'head firstto move'said,

jaws free of the said abutment and subse quently to radially displacesaid jaws to Q allow-the screw head and driving blade to pass beyond thejaws when required.

A. A screw driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw drivingblade at one 7 'end and a thrust plate at the other end, a.

V screw supportlng device including a sleeve' for supporting the screwhead, and a pair of radially displaceable members for sup- 7 porting theshank of thescrew, which mem- V bers are normally locked againstdisplacement, and means for unlocking vthem when required, and a handlerotatably and slidably mounted on the crank portion, of said spindleanda link connecting said handle with said sleeve whereby the amount ofscrew projecting from sleeve maybe adjusted. 4 J

5. A screw driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw drivingblade at one end anda thrust plate at the other end, a

screw supporting deviceincluding a sleeve for supporting the screw head,and a pairof radially displaceable members for supporting the shankofthe screw, which members are normally locked vagainst displacement,

and means for unlocking them when re-f ,quired, and a handle rotatablyand slidably mounted on, the crank portion-[of Y said spindle and a linkconnecting said hiandle with said sleeve whereby'the' amount'of screwprojecting from; sleeve maybe adjusted, and a spring buffer operating between said handle and said sleeve .at one end of the sliding movementofsaid handle,

6. A screw driver comprising a crank j spindle having a screwdrivlngblade at one end and a thrust plate at-the other end, a

screw supporting device including an inner;

sleeve for supporting the screw head,"a pair of radially displaceableaws for supporting the shank of the screw, an outer sleeve sl-idablymounted upon said innersleeve, lugs on sald outer sleeve to which saidaws are pivoted, an abutment on said inner SlBBVGWhlCh normally lockssaid jaws against displace ment, means for automatically unlocking themwhen thescrew has nearly'reached the full limit of its insertion,including a handle rotatably and slidably mounted on the crank portionof said spindle, and a link connecting said handle with-the saidabutment.

7. Ascrew driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw driving bladeat one end and a thrust plate at the other end, a screw supportingdevice including -.a sleeve for supporting thescrew head, said sleevebeing disposed around said screw driving blade and able to movelongitudinally with respect to said spindle, and:a'handlefrotatably andslidably mounted on the. crank portion of said spindle,- and: a link,connecting said handle with saidjisleeve whereby the amount projectingfrom thesleevemay be of screw ad usted. Y

In testimony whereof I aflin my; signature. 7

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